Welcome to Stadium NOW!
Stadium NOW! sections
Stadium NOW! is a group of Gastown residents and businesses who support the proposed Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium in Gastown, Vancouver, BC
Relevant sites
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-Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium section on the Vancouver Whitecaps FC web site
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-City of Vancouver - Central Waterfront Hub Study & Whitecaps Stadium Review web site
Another Whitecaps stadium supporter site
Copyright 2009. Stadium NOW!. All rights reserved.
Stadium NOW! - Since May 18, 2006 - Supporting the proposal by the Vancouver Whitecaps FC to build a privately funded soccer stadium, the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, on Vancouver’s waterfront.
Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium | Current ETA 2016+. Official initial proposal 2005. Process started 2003.
Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium in the news
“City staff "unclear" on whether a waterfront soccer stadium proposal will come forward”, Georgia Straight, July 9, 2009
"Since July 2007, the Whitecaps have been holding discussions with PMV over the potential to use part of the Central Waterfront Port Lands as an alternative site for the stadium," the report adds. "It is unclear at this time whether these discussions will result in another stadium proposal."
Stadium NOW! comment: Nothing new here per se but a simple outline of where the proposal sits (at least publicly), and has essentially for the last two years.
“Vancouver's waterfront area could become "world-class" transportation hub”, Vancouver Sun, May 31, 2009
“While the current conceptual framework by city staff doesn't include a stadium, it remains open to integrating a new stadium proposal and considers land where the current heliport is as a viable place for it to be built.”
“Q&A: Bob Lenarduzzi”, CBCSports.ca, March 27, 2009
“CBCSports.ca: What about the stadium issue?
Originally, the Whitecaps wanted to build a new waterfront stadium, but the team announced it will play at B.C. Place after the provincial government stepped in and said it would fit it with a retractable roof as part of an ongoing $365-million renovation to turn the stadium into a soccer-specific venue.
Does that mean the waterfront stadium proposal has been shelved?
Bob Lenarduzzi: The plan for a new stadium hasn't been shelved; it's been caught up in bureaucracy so that's up in the air right now. Moving forward, we should be very thankful that B.C. Place will be refurbished because if it wasn't, you and I wouldn't be talking about an MLS team coming to Vancouver right now. B.C. Place in its current form was not an option for us. It's an old and tired building; it's too cavernous for the type of atmosphere we want to generate.
The provincial government stepped in and said they would help fund the refurbishing of the stadium to make it more soccer-friendly. If not for that, we wouldn't have a place to play, and there's no way MLS would have granted us a team.”
“Welcome MLS”, The Province, March 18, 2009
“The Whitecaps will begin the 2011 season in B.C. Place, but the long-term goal must be an outdoor facility along the lines the team has proposed on the waterfront near Gastown.
But now is not the time to further debate the merits of such a facility. Now is the time to congratulate the Whitecaps and welcome the MSL to our city.”
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Latest Blog Post
“Lack of facilities hurts the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, plus turf blows” May 27, 2009
From the new Vancouver MLS 2011 web site:
“Waterfront Stadium
The Whitecaps are continuing to pursue the construction of the proposed soccer-specific Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium on downtown Vancouver’s central waterfront and rail lands.
The Whitecaps have been working with the City of Vancouver and the Port Metro Vancouver to finalize a stadium footprint.
The vision for the stadium has remained constant over the last six years – a community amenity that is:
•Accessible
•Socially, environmentally and economically sustainable
•Adjacent to the main transportation hub
•A community gathering place
•A home for soccer, rugby, concerts, etc.
For more information on the Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, or to learn how you can show your support, click here.”
``MLS expansion is conducted very strategically as the league's goal is to secure the following: Committed local ownership group with the appropriate financial resources. A comprehensive stadium plan where the ownership controls the venue (preferably a soccer-specific stadium) or plans to build a soccer- specific stadium. Appropriate market (attractive to sponsors, TV partners, geographic location). History of strong fan support for soccer matches and other sporting events.'' “MLS future could include Edmonton”, CANWEST NEWS SERVICE, May 1, 2009
Delta watch... Coming soon
